Aleksander (ex_metallics678) wrote in ic_chaos, @ 2008-10-10 07:50:00 |
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Entry tags: | iron lad, wolfsbane |
Who: Billy & Teddy
When: Tuesday, October 7
Where:The room
What: Billy's just remembered that Yom Kippur is on Thursday and begins the required gorging.
Tick, tock, tick tock. Billy looked up at the clock, waiting for it to strike three. He'd already started working on his homework, but when it was all said and done, he really wanted the class day to be over. Finally it was time to go and Billy hurriedly gathered up his things and headed back to his room. Finally being able to check his phone, Billy looked at the text message and smiled. Hi hon, just letting you know Dad and I got here fine. Call you some time this week. We'll bring you back some seashells. Salt water taffy? BE CAREFUL! Love, Mom. He'd felt the silent vibration on his leg during class, but he knew better than to actually open his phone and look at it. That'd be a quick way to get the device taken away. Or worse, have it used as a power display. Billy didn't put that past some of the faculty. OK, maybe just Mr. Allerdyce.
His key slipped easily into the deadbolt, opening the door to his and Teddy's room. It was always nice to come back from class and have a place that he could relax. It probably helped that you knew you'd see your best friend every single day because he slept six feet away from you. Looking over at Scott's area, he wasn't there. Hanging his messenger bag on the hook inside his closet, Billy figured he'd watch a little television then get started on the homework. He needed a mental break, wondering idly if he could get away with a mental health day sometime this week. Looking at his calender, Billy was both relieved and sad that Yom Kippur was on Thursday. So much for needing an excuse to miss class, there was one right there.
...Which meant Billy better start eating soon, to stockpile food in his body before the fasting. Settling on his bed, Billy turned on the television and reached under the frame, pulling out a can of Pringles. It would do for now, he decided.
Teddy was having a similar thought process to Billy, at least, the bit about Mr. Allerdyce. He had a stash of cookies in his backpack that he had grabbed after lunch and he was dying to have one, but he was pretty sure that if he tried to sneak one now, the teacher would either freeze it before it reached his mouth or eat it himself. He wouldn't put it past the man, but his heightened sense of smell was killing him. Teddy was weighing the pros and cons of having a cookie (and totally ignoring the lecture on movie reviews that probably would help him write his movie review), when the clock finally struck three.
He was out of his seat and ripping into that cookie in the corridor before Mr. Allerdyce could turn away from the board to dismiss the class.
The walk to his room only took five minutes and he reached it just as Billy was pulling out a can of Pringles. "Sharing is caring, dude," Teddy said through a mouthful of an half eaten cookie as he plopped down on his unmade bed.
The smell of the salt and vinegar was like angels singing in his brain. When Teddy entered, Billy rolled his eyes and picked a couple out of the can, popping them in his mouth. "Yeah, this coming from a guy who can't finish a bite before he talks. You planning on handing over a couple of those cookies?" It sounded like they were back in elementary school, trading parts of their lunches amongst themselves.
Holding the can at an angle, Billy poured a stack into his palm and then capped the cylinder before tossing it across the way. "How was your day?" Billy asked, not really worrying about the cookies. They were going to have dinner in a couple hours anyway - just like clockwork. He scooted back on his bed, wrinkling the smooth bedspread under him. Toeing off his tennis shoes, Billy folded his legs up.
Catching the can of Pringles with one hand, Teddy dug his other hand into his backpack and pulled out a ziplock bag full of cookies. Grabbing one more from the bag, he rezipped it and tossed it Billy's way. "I always share man." With Billy anyway. It was a doubtful statement only when it concerned other people.
"Long, boring," he said in response to Billy's question as he shucked his sneakers off and fell onto his side. He wasn't really watching the TV, but his gaze had to go somewhere, right? "You? Anythinh exciting?" Life had gotten considerably quieter since Teddy had arrived at the school, and he was glad for that, but it left life a little more boring as well.
"I know you do," Billy said, sincerely. Maybe Teddy had been a little...skittish when he'd first gotten there, Billy was really glad to see him joking around and being at ease. And so what if it was only around Billy? He was glad that he could offer something like that to another person. Catching the bag by the top, forward momentum got the better of it, the full part coming up and wanging him against the nose.
His face scrunched up in retaliation and shook his head. "Same ol' same ol'," Billy answered, opening the bag and taking a couple out. He was a little tired of cookies, having munched on some the day before with Alison. But these were different. They were Teddy's. So Billy knew...they weren't poison. He zipped the bag back up and set it on the floor by his bed, out of the way of wandering feet. "Just going through the motions. But I get to miss class on Thursday for Yom Kippur, so don't make a lot of noise when you leave in the morning, okay?"
"I'll be like a ninja, swear," Teddy said somewhat solemnly, though he knew he was going to be as quiet as he promised. If there was one person in the world that he cared about, it would be Billy. Teddy wasn't sure when Billy went from being a workout buddy to best friend ever, but it had definitely happened over the past year and he wasn't looking to rock the boat by being a jerk.
Struck by brilliance, or maybe it was just his hunger, Teddy offered, "Want to go out to eat and stuff our faces? My treat." He could actually afford to because he hadn't been frivolously spending the money he got from the school as an allowance.
"I know you will be. I rarely here you anyway. It's Scott - he's a heavy-footer. But that's just between you and me." Billy liked telling Teddy secrets, even if they weren't all that secret. There was something to the shared comments, the honesty and trust that they both shared in the other. Sure, they could be big and bad on the journals, but Billy knew that Teddy would tear a throat out for him (ew) just as Teddy knew that Billy would take laser blasts to protect him. It's just what best friends did.
Billy let the cookies and chips fall away from his mouth, a slightly troubled look coming onto his face. "Sure...we can go out, but you don't have to buy for me. I can get myself." Billy hated Teddy spending his money on him. Said time and time again, Billy would much rather Teddy save it for college, or an apartment, not something that would be digested and gone the next day. But he'd already said it once a while ago, and no way was he going to open up that can of worms again if he could avoid it. "Where do you want to go?" Realizing that Teddy had picked up on it, Billy smiled and sat on the corner of his best friend's bed. "You just trying to fill me up before Yom Kippur?" It was really nice, because Billy would have usually eaten with his family, but they were away and...Teddy was family. "Can I rec the Chinese all you can eat buffet? No fetid lobster claws of anything. Or wherever you want to go, as long as you promise to roll me home."
"Really? I haven't really noticed." Teddy barely knew their new roommate and that probably wouldn't change for awhile. It took Teddy forever to open up to Billy and he wasn't sure if he was ready to invest another year in a new person before they kicked him out of the academy. Because that was what was going to happen. Teddy had decent grades, but he knew he wasn't college material. So if he didn't go to college, he had no reason to be there anymore. The school wouldn't keep him anymore. At least he would have two years off the streets. That was worth something.
"Man, just let me. I want to," Teddy said, shrugging. He had some money put away, but it wasn't nearly enough to get into college with. No matter how much he saved, he wasn't going to be able to afford it. Or an apartment. Not beyond the first month or so anyway. "And I'm good with Chinese. I can eat a horse and you know it, so I really don't know who is going to roll who home." Teddy was not a picky eater at all. He would try everything at least once.
If there was one worry in Billy's life, it was Teddy. Graduation would come sooner than he wanted, and he didn't want Teddy to be left alone. His parents had been saving since he'd been adopted for college, and Billy was grateful, but a part of him wanted to give half the money to Teddy. To get an apartment together and be waiters or something. Billy's parents would flip, and he hadn't brought it up yet, but the logical one of the pair was actually thinking about it. Billy smiled, flopping down and wrapping his arms around Teddy for a second before pulling up. Three second hugs weren't gay. They just weren't. He even made sure to offer a little pat on the back.
"Okay, it's cool. You can pay." Chewing on his bottom lip, Billy knew it wasn't the best time, but it had been eating at him for a few weeks since asking his parents. "I'd like you to come home with me for Thanksgiving. I asked Mom and Dad, and I think Mom is ready to change your last name to Kaplan. But I told her Teddy Kaplan sounded weird. It'd be a nice long weekend away. And lots of food. Tons of food. Food for days. You know Mom's upside down cinnamon buns? Dude, outta this world frsh out of the oven." He knew he was rambling, but it was easier to do than accept a no. Standing up, Billy pulled his socks off, hopping for a moment and then slipping on his sandals. It was warmish out, and he didn't want his feet stinking in a day or so. Airing them out. "Get your ass up and let's go. General Tso, here we come!"
Pulling on his sneakers again and grabbing the Pringles can anyway (he needed a snack, c'mon now), he rolled himself off the bed and followed after Billy. "For real?" Teddy asked, throwing an arm around the other teen's shoulders and grinning. He wasn't a touchy feely type of guy, but Billy brought it out in him, whether they were sparring, goofing around, or sneaking in hugs when it wasn't a threat to their masculinity. "You're going to have to drag me out kicking and screaming if you mom makes those cinnamon buns." He already loved Mrs. Kaplan for her cooking and he had never actually met her in person.
It had been awhile since Teddy had actually done anything festive. He hid out in his room during academy events and he had no home to speak of to go to either. This would be the first time since his mother's death, that he might actually get to celebrate a holiday. And that excited him more than he was willing to admit.
So he was going to blame it on the food. "Think she'll teach me how to cook? Or are the recipes a guarded secret?"
God, Billy loved it when Teddy got affectionate. It wasn't grabby, or hurtful or...anything. Not even sexual. It was just Teddy letting his guard down and Billy really enjoyed when it was happening around him. "Your sneakers need to be fixed. I've got some glue for the flapping sole," he said, trying to distract himself from the strong arm on the back of his neck. "I'll fix it whenever we get back." Billy knew better than to offer to buy Teddy new shoes. Fixing them was one thing, but getting a new pair? Billy had learned the hard way to never utter such a thing. Teddy was proud, and Billy could appreciate that.
He nodded, chuckling some and shrugging slightly so the hand fell off his shoulder when he saw a shadow coming up the stairwell. He didn't want to, but Teddy was just being a bud. "If you're willing to listen, then she'd probably pull out her recipe cards and teach you anything you wanted to know. She likes having helpers in the kitchen." Surprise surprise, Billy had been the last one that he knew off to offer a hand. "She knows you, Teddy. I mean, when I talk to them, she always asks how you're doing. That thank you note I told you to wrote for the cookies a year ago? Yeah, she remembers that kind of stuff." And it had really touched Billy when Teddy had realized it would be a good thing to do without much prodding.
Stepping outside, Billy clicked the button on his keys, sure that he was driving. "You learn it, then you can teach me. I was just the mixer or crusher. Don't think Mom really trusted me with an open flame," Billy said lightly, looking at his friend and then scrubbing the back of Teddy's head with his knuckles. "That means you're coming with me? We'll haveta share a room, but we'll have our own bathroom. And you'd be on my team for Scrabble and Pictionary." Sometimes the Kaplan Games ran a bit on the lame side.
Things might have been a little more different had Teddy known that Billy might enjoy the tactile contact that they shared in a slightly different way than he did, but it wouldn't have changed anything between them if Teddy could help it. Because he probably wouldn't have stopped the hugs and the shoves and all that. It was just what they did: they were Billy and Teddy. They had excellent adventures. They were friends first and foremost. And they liked to touch each other. It wasn't weird to Teddy at all.
He thought nothing of it as he let his arm dropped. Shoving his hands into the pouch of his hoodie, Teddy nodded. "Sure. Thanks. I'm kinda shit at fixing things." He could make things last, but he had no idea how to sew or fix anything that needed fixing. It made the blond glad that he didn't have to ask for that kind of help anymore, that Billy just knew and offered it with no judgment.
Brightening up a little bit more, he nodded. "Hell yes it means I'm coming with you, shared bedrooms and bathrooms and all. That is, if you're still sure. I mean. You're not just offering cause I'm stuck here otherwise, right?" Teddy was sure that it wasn't because Billy pitied him, but insecurity had a way of making Teddy doubt himself. It would still be awhile before he completely accepted everything without thinking it was charity. Billy was right in realizing that Teddy was proud, sometimes to the point of harming himself because of it.
Billy had never been one to judge people during any time in his life. Sure, he'd been judged, but after coming to the school, all that judgment stuff had taken a back seat (as far as he knew) and had been replaced with a growing understanding from people. That was one of the things that really had made Billy appreciate the school. No one seemed to have to prove anything, because they were all special. Special in different ways, sure, but still equal. Billy had never been seen as equal to anyone before.
Rolling his eyes, Billy slugged Teddy lightly in the shoulder. "If I don't take pity on you when I'm whoppin' your ass in the gym, why would I do it now? Besides, you'll make even teams. Besides, I think Dad cheats, so I need your keen eyesight to watch him." Billy moved around to the driver's side and got in, waiting for Teddy to get in before he continued talking. "And there's always tons of food. I mean, why would she make three pies for so few people? Yeah, I'm not only sure, but I'm serious. If you don't come, we'll find out if it takes four days for someone to die of boredom. You wouldn't want that, would you? Honestly, you're doin' me a favor by coming." Pure logic, no way could Teddy defend against that.
"Those delusions are getting a little ridiculous now," Teddy said, rolling his eyes playfully as he strapped himself into the car. He was more than content to let Billy drive. He had his license, but he had this tendency to break the speed limit and that just wasn't doing him any good. "I guess I'll come then because we can't have you dying of boredom right? I'll be sure to let your mother know what you think of their company though."
If Teddy hadn't already appreciated Billy and all his awesomness, he surely did now. He was a little nervous of what his parents might think of him (tattooed, scruffy, and slightly shifty looking), but he didn't voice these concerns because he didn't want Billy to worry about it either.
"And yeah, I'll trade your secrecy for a piece of Mom's six or so desserts I'm sure she'll be making," Billy chuckled, shifting the car into reverse once it was started and checking before he backed out of his spot. Billy did like his parents' company, but now that he had friends - and a best friend, who had no plans whatsoever for the holiday, Billy thought it was a good enough excuse as any to keep Teddy occupied and in good company. "I think if we play Scategories, we'll whoop 'em," Billy mused, smirking a little as he pulled out of the driveway and headed in the direction of the strip mall where the Chinese place was.
Billy knew about the tattoos and such, but after a little thought, he figured it'd be cold enough by then that Teddy wouldn't be walking around shirtless - especially in his parents' house. Sure, teddy was a little rough around the edges, but Billy knew he could be respectful. And it'd be just plain weird if Billy's mom started eying Teddy. "I know it's far off, but Mom asked me last time I talked to her if you have foods you won't eat. Or allergies or anything." Billy shrugged it off, hoping that if Teddy did, he'd let him know before the holiday. It's not like they didn't have plenty of time. "Is anything going on for Halloween?" It was getting to be that time of year when holidays got all bunched up. And that was just the national holidays that he observed.
"...You wouldn't mind if I asked your mom to marry me, would you?" Teddy was joking and his voice betrayed that tone. "I'll do it after that game of Scategories. What the hell is Scategories anyway?" He and his mother hadn't really done the mother-son bonding thing over board games. They had gone to parks and she had taught him how to skateboard. And as he grew up, they didn't have as much time to spend together, so yeah, they never really go to play board games. It was cool. He was never resentful of that fact.
"Not really allergic to anything. I've eaten a lot and never had a bad reaction to anything." Maybe he did have food allergies, but he didn't know of them. "Halloween is coming up, isn't it? I don't know what they do for it. I wasn't here last time around. They'll probably have a party."
"I think my dad would have a problem with that. And, oh yeah, I'd have a problem with it too," Billy drawled. He did not want to think about the consummation in a place he'd come out of. Gross! "It's a game where you're given a list of words and you have to use other words to describe them so your partner can guess. Like, if one was wolf, I'd just point at you and 'you!' or if one was being awesome, I'd point to me." It was a pretty fun game, one of Billy's favorites, actually. It was normal for his family to have a family dinner once a week and then play a board game. If he got a good grade on a test, Billy would get to pick. Probably the lamest reward system ever, but it had worked.
"I'll make sure Mom makes you Poop Soup - just to see how good you are at not having a reaction to something," Billy said lightly, glancing over at the other before his eyes went back to the road. "Oh, well, I know what they have here, but I didn't know if you'd thought up a costume yet. I know the malls around a lot of places let people come in in costume and give discounts for people dressed up. And candy. Lots of candy too, no purchase necessary." Sure, they were a little old for trick or treating in the traditional sense, but the mall was a loophole that needed to be exploited. "Dunno if they do it here or not," Billy mused, turning on his signal when he saw the restaurant come into view.
"Really? Well, I guess if you guys might have a problem with that...I should keep all marriage proposals to myself," Teddy said, heaving a great big sigh of false disappointment. "Guess that means I'm on for Scategories without a side of drama, though you better leave that poop soup out of it."
Fidgeting in the seat (because it would have been so much faster to run for him!), Teddy glanced over to Billy and said, "I know." He lived on the streets for awhile. He had picked up on certain things when he had needed to and that Halloween bit had come in use last Halloween. As had Christmas the year before last and Thanksgiving. "I don't think I'm dressing up this year. What about you? Going as the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz? Dressing up as Lex Luthor?"
"That might be for the best. I mean, if Mom or Dad catch you walking to the bathroom and see your tats, they won't ask you about them, but me. In a quiet, week later type thing." Billy looked at Teddy and smiled. "And I'll tell them what you told me about them. No way am I gonna say some shit to make them happy. I hope that's okay." Billy's tone wasn't hard or jaded, it was just honest. There was no way that Teddy could embarrass him, make him feel sorry for being friends. "What kind of tattoo do you think I should get? No barbed wire though."
Shit! Billy hadn't meant to bring up anything from the past, but in the last minute, he'd brought up the tattoos and eating free candy because Teddy was homeless. He slumped back a bit in his seat, putting the car in park and then pulling up the emergency brake, even though they weren't on a hill. "Sorry," Billy squeaked, opening his door and hopping down. "If you're not dressing up, neither am I. Maybe we could take a post if kids come up to the school. We could watch horror movies while everyone else goes out or goes to a dance or something." That sounded downright homely, and quaint. Billy liked that random idea. "Unless you can't handle scary movies." Taunt taunt double taunt.
"Whatever you want. I'll just wear long sleeves the whole time there, if that makes you feel better?" Teddy wasn't sure how they got onto the tattoos, but he didn't mind it. He wasn't comfortable talking about his past with most people and Billy was no exception, but he minded it less with his best friend. Teddy wouldn't get upset over that stuff anymore, especially since Billy had never been malicious about it. "You should get a tattoo of a horse. Named Sparkles." He smirked. "And don't be sorry about anything, Billy." He got out of the car and came around to Billy's side to muss his hair up a little
"Man, if you want to dress up don't use scary movies as an excuse. I can go as the Wolfman. I got the costume down pat," he said, grinning widely and spreading his arms out wide with a wink.
"Don't worry about it. They'll like you no matter if you had a curse word tattooed on your forehead," Billy amended. He had been raised in a good home, with smart, level-headed parents. "After all the good things I've said about you, how you've gotten me back into karate and all that...you're pretty much golden in their eyes. Just...don't flash either of them. Some things aren't forgivable." God, Billy wanted to protect Teddy, and he knew that his parents wouldn't think anything less of him with tattoos, not after they got to know him. "My room's kind of like a sweat shop, since it's over the basement furnace. Bad design." Billy rolled his eyes, shoving gently at Teddy's side before he went to fix his hair. "I don't think I'd like a tattoo of a horse. Especially with Sparkles written above it. Or below it...across it. That's a big no."
There was a quick frown but then it disappeared. "Maybe you need something a little more challenging. No Wolfman but...Link. From Zelda. You could pull it off?" Billy didn't sound too convinced. "And if you don't want to watch scary movies with me, that's fine. I never thought you could really handle them anyway. How about It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown? It's a little suspenseful, wondering if he's going to show or not." Billy slapped Teddy between the sharp shoulder blades, pushing him toward the door. "We're missing Chinese food. I hope everything's fresh." It would suck to go more than a day on bad food. "I hope they have those crab rangoon things."